BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Long-eared Owl

StrigidaeBirds of preyAsio otus

Long-eared Owl has declined: down 46% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-46%Since 1972TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
64RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
35Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Long-eared Owl

The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a North American member of the Owls (Strigidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the birds of prey.

Size
5–27.5 in long (13–70 cm) — a nocturnal raptor (typical for the family)
Habitat
Open country, woodlands, cliffs and wetlands, hunting from the air or a high perch.
Diet
Live prey — small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and large insects (carrion for vultures).
Range
Recorded on 64 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 20 states, most concentrated in the Great Basin.
Family
Strigidae · Birds of prey

Notable Long-eared Owl TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Long-eared Owl. See the full index history below.

Long-eared Owl Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Long-eared Owl is projected to stay roughly flat through 2026, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.00). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±80.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2026TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.00Projected 2026 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.0095% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±80.9%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Long-eared Owl is projected to stay roughly flat through 2026, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.00). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±80.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692026
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20220.000.000.00
20230.000.000.00
20240.000.000.00
20250.000.000.00
20260.000.000.00

Where the Long-eared Owl Is Detected

BBS routes recording Long-eared Owl, sized by most recent count.

Long-eared Owl Population Trend by State

Long-eared Owl population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Arizonainsufficient datan/a2
Californiainsufficient datan/a7
Coloradoinsufficient datan/a7
Idahoinsufficient datan/a3
Kansasinsufficient datan/a1
Minnesotainsufficient datan/a3
Montanainsufficient datan/a1
Nevadainsufficient datan/a1
New Hampshireinsufficient datan/a1
New Jerseyinsufficient datan/a2
New Mexicoinsufficient datan/a4
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a4
North Dakotainsufficient datan/a2
Oregoninsufficient datan/a4
Pennsylvaniainsufficient datan/a2
Utahinsufficient datan/a4
Vermontinsufficient datan/a1
Washingtoninsufficient datan/a5
Wisconsininsufficient datan/a6
Wyominginsufficient datan/a4

Long-eared Owl Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Long-eared Owl population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Great Basin-84%198013

Long-eared Owl Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it down about 46% since 1972.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.